Job Details

Job introduction

Fixed term for until March 2023

For an informal discussion, please contact Louise Lowery Housing Options Manager 01273 293087.

About the role

The successful candidate will advise people on a wide range of housing issues and welfare benefits, assess support needs and work in partnership with all relevant agencies to find sustainable housing solutions. Where we are unable to prevent or relieve homelessness you will be required carry out an assessment under the homeless legislation to determine any longer-term housing duty.

A robust knowledge of the main causes for homelessness and legal and other remedies available is required and you will need to demonstrate an ability to innovate and adapt your approach, to meet the needs of your customers.

We are looking for exceptional & motivated people who are resilient and adaptable to change. As well as the usual administration of homelessness applications (inquiries, decisions, notifications of duties etc) the post holder will be carrying out early intervention work that may require home visits and work collaboratively across services in the city to get the best possible outcomes for our customers, residents and homeless applicants.

You do not need to be an expert in homelessness law although you will need to be able to apply housing law in your day to day work. You must have a proven track record in excellent customer service and in obtaining successful outcomes for customers and clients you have worked with.

Above all you must have an understanding of the current housing situation faced by residents of Brighton & Hove, of the kind of interventions which can prevent homelessness and a real commitment to achieving good results for customers.

Brighton & Hove is a brilliant place to live and work; our services are nationally recognised and you will be working with experienced colleagues who are directly informing national initiatives through high profile work with the Government. You will need to offer excellent organisational, casework and case-management skills and an ability to positively engage with homeless applicants within the context of a housing market that is difficult to access.

Please read our Apply for a job at the council (brighton-hove.gov.uk) pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview.

As part of your application, you will need to complete your education and work history and provide answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (Shortlisting questions guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.

Additional information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.

Work Permits: We may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Points-based Immigration System. Please see Gov.uk for more information on the Skilled Worker Visa.

For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

Company information

Encouraging a diverse workforce

Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.

Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk).

Please note that this post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Criminal Records Check.

Files

• Job Description & Person Specification
• Cover Letter